Vanamali is another name for Lord Krishna (it means “the wearer of a garland of wild flowers). Mataji Devi Vanamali is an ardent Krishna Bhakta, a contemporary Hindu contemplative, teacher as well as author and publisher of many books on ancient yogic way of life and vedic traditions – the "Lila Hindu World Heritage Library" which includes: a translation of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Nitya Yoga, a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna Lila, Sri Rama Lila, Sri Shiva Lila, Sri Devi Lila, Sri Hanuman Lila, Lilas of the Sons of Shiva, Gurudeva and The Taste Divine. Sri Devi Lila is published in the U.S. as Shakti: Realm of The Divine Mother, Sri Hanuman Lila as Hanuman: The Devotion and Power of The Monkey God.
When I heard of her for the first time more than a decade ago and saw her photo, something resonated deeply and I knew in my heart that I had to see her on my maiden trip to Rishikesh. She is an inspiring example for how much love can be embodied and how much beautiful creative expression is possible in a state of Yoga (union) and Bhakti (devotion).
The Vanamali Gita Yogashram is a small ashram (spiritual retreat and place of aspiration) nestling at the foot of the Himalayas beside the river Ganga in Tapovan. Apart from its spiritual activities such as daily morning puja, evening meditation, aarti and satsang, as well as Gita lectures, Sri Matha Devi Vanamali and Brahmachari Mohanji do service to the poor people of the region. Either by giving clothes, food and help in education, or by larger projects such as establishing schools higher up in the mountains.
Mataji's books are available at her ashram, on amazon and local bookstores in Tapovan / Laxman Jhula.
For more information and inspiration:
website:
https://www.vanamaliashram.org
instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/vanamalikrishna/
fb:
https://www.facebook.com/vanamaliashram/
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